M3 Half-track , officially known as Carrier, Personnel Half-track M3 , is a half-track US armored vehicle widely used by the Allies during World War II and in the Cold War. Derived from the M2 Half Track Car, developed from the Citroen-KÃÆ' Â © gresse halfway track, the slightly longer M3 is widely produced, with around 15,000 units and over 50,000 derived variants being produced (many of which are temporary designs).
Developers are trying to use as many commercial components as possible. There are also several dozen variants for different purposes. M3 and its variants are supplied to the US Army and Marines, as well as British Commonwealth forces and the Soviet Red Army, serving in all key areas throughout the war. Its variants are manufactured by a large number of manufacturers including the International Harvester, and are designed for a variety of uses, such as self-propelled anti-aircraft guns and as self-propelled artillery. Although initially unpopular due to the lack of significant armor and roofing to protect from shrapnel, it was used by most of the Allies at some point in the war.
Video M3 Half-track
Specifications
The T48 Gun Motor Carriage is 20Ã, ft 3Ã, in (6.17Ã,m) long, 6Ã, ft 5Ã, (1.96Ã, m) wide, and 7Ã, ft 5Ã, (2.26Ã, m) high. It has a wheelbase of 135.5 at (3.44 m), and weighs 9.07 tonnes (Â £ 20,800). The suspension consists of leaf springs for wheels, while the front tread has a vertical volute spring. The vehicle has a top speed of 45 mph (72 km/h). With a capacity of 60 gallon US (230 liters) fuel, it has a range of 150 miles (240 km), and is powered by 128 hp (95 kW) White 160AX, 386 at 3 (6,330 cc) p.6-cylinder gasoline with a compression ratio of 6: 3: 1. The power-to-weight ratio is 15.8 hp/ton. It also has 6-12 mm armor. It has one crew (driver) and capacity for the 12 squad.
Maps M3 Half-track
Design
The design, using as many commercial components as possible to improve reliability and production levels, was standardized in 1940 and built by Autocar Company, Diamond T Motor Company, and White Motor Company. Offered with a choice of White 160AX or IHC Red Diamond 450 engines, the M3 is driven through a manual constant-mesh (non-synchromesh) transmission with four front teeth and one reverse gear, and two speed transfer cases. The front suspension is a leaf spring, a track by vertical volute spring. Braking is a vacuum-assisted hydraulic, steering manual, without power assistance. Electrical system 12 volts. The track is an endless rubber band made of rubber that is formed on top of a steel cable with a track metal guide.
Shelves under chairs are used for ammunition and rations; an additional shelf behind the back of a chair holding a troop rifle and other storage. A small rack for mines was added on the outside of the hull just above the tracks. In combat, most units feel the need to store additional food, backpacks and other crew on the outside of the vehicle. Luggage racks are often added in the field, and very late vehicles have a rack mounted in the rear for this crew's storage.
The initial vehicle had a pinch mounting, just behind the front seat, which mounted a.50 (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine gun. The M3A1, which then adopted the "pulpit platform" raised for.50-caliber caliber machine guns, and.30 (7.62 mm) caliber can be used from mounts along the side of the passenger compartment. Many M3 are then modified to standard M3A1. Its body is floored around, with a suitable armored shutter for engine radiators and bulletproof glass.
Development
The development of a half armored track starts with OCM 14188 to transform the Scout M3 Car into half track. The work was done at Rock Island Arsenal with the help of the White Motor Company. The prototype is designated T7 and has the same chassis and engine as the M3, but has a larger front wheel and a shorter front. The armor is composed of 1/4 inch of hardened steel plate and it is armed with two M1919 machine guns and one M2 Browning machine gun operated by a crew of 8. The test at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in 1938 shows that it is unsatisfactory because the front. drive -wheel. T7 converted back into scout car and returned to the Army.
Throughout 1939 and 1940, the M2 Half Track Car was created prototype and developed by the Army at Aberdeen Proving Grounds. M3 was developed as a slightly longer M2 version for use in the field. M3 was tested at Aberdeen Proving Grounds in the summer of 1941 and was accepted shortly thereafter. M3 is equipped with two M1919 machine guns and M2 Browning machine guns. M3 added a back door and five additional seats at the rear.
Service history
Although originally intended for armored infantry regiments, it was soon in action with the Provisional Temporary Group when the Japanese Army started their invasion of the Philippines. Initially, there were several complaints due to some mechanical difficulties. This was corrected by the Department of Ordnance after receiving a field report from the Philippines. The first use of M3 for the intended role is during Operation Torch. Each armored division has 433 M2 or M3, 200 in armored regiments and 233 in armored infantry regiments.
Half-track was initially very unpopular and was dubbed "Purple Heart Boxes" (a bleak reference to the decor of the US Army for battle wounds) by American troops. The main complaint centered on the lack of top protection from artillery fire and the armor was inadequate against machine-gun fire. Omar Bradley quoted in his report on half the tracks that it was "a competent and reliable tool." His bad name was due to the lack of experience of our troops trying to use it for too many things. Another big problem with the M3 is its rear slacker repeatedly after being used continuously. Before the Department of Defense approves official reparations, the commander in North Africa buys new back slackers that will not be damaged after continued use. In 1943, M3 served in Sicily and Italy and received positive reports in action. It began operating in 1944 in Operation Overlord and served in Europe for the rest of the war.
Production
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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